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Mural paintings in ancient Egyptian tombs in West Thebes have been suffering from several
deterioration factors and symptoms such as variations of temperatures and relative humidity, salts
efflorescence and crypto-florescence, crackling and bio-deterioration effects, which assimilate in
insects, algae, actinomycetes, etc. Other causing factors are bacteria and fungi, which accelerate
mechanical weathering, chemical changes and aesthetic deterioration, like the penetration of mycelium
below plaster layers, decomposition, disintegration, alterations and discoloration. These microorganisms can excrete organic and inorganic acids, alkaline compounds, chelating, enzymes
substances and pigments. Three fungi strains (Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer and
Aspergillus flavus) and two bacteria strains (Staphylococcus warnei and Micrococcus luteus) were
isolated from the royal Theban tombs paintings (west Thebes, Luxor, Egypt). This work aimed to access
the presence of microorganisms and their effect on mural paintings deterioration; it also studies their
treatment methods, such as nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and Sesbania sesban and Ricinus communis plant
extract (PE). The applied doses of NPs and PE did not cause any observable alterations or color
changes to pigments and binding media (arabic gum) used in the paintings. TiO 2 NPs 160 ppm and 100
mg of plant extracts were the efficient concentration level in eliminating microbial growth. The causes of
the different efficacy of the treatments are observed, as well as the potential risks of recolonization by
viable cells left behind after treatment.
Key words: Bio-deterioration, Plant extracts, Wall painting, West Thebes tombs-Nanoparticles.
INTRODUCTION
Bio-deterioration can be defined as any undesirable
change in a material brought about by the vital activities
of organisms (Allsopp, 2011). Bacteria, actinomycetes
and fungi are constantly causing problems in the
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1-
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Test organism
F. oxysporum
R. stolonifer
A. flavus
S. warnei
M. luteus
1427
1428
Figure 6. Inhibition zone of antifungal activity of TiO2 nanoparticles and plant extracts at different
concentrations.
Test organisms
F. oxysporum
R. stolonifer
A.
flavus
S. warnei
M. luteus
20 g
8
7
9
8
8
40 g
11
9
9
12
10
80 g
12
11
11
13
11
160 g
13
11
12
14
13
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+
OH and H . Dissolved oxygen molecules are transformed
to superoxide radical anions (O2), which in turn react
with H+ to generate (HO2) radicals, which upon
subsequent collision with electrons produce hydrogen
peroxide anions (HO2). They then react with hydrogen
ions to produce molecules of H2O2. The generated
H2O2 can penetrate the cell membrane and kill the
bacteria (Fang et al., 2006). Since the hydroxyl radicals
and superoxide are negatively charged particles, they
cannot penetrate into the cell membrane and must
remain in direct contact with the outer surface of the
bacteria cell of the bacteria; however, H2O2 can penetrate
into the cell (Blake et al., 1999). The mechanisms of TiO 2
nanoparticles depend on the bactericidal effect which is a
result of mechanical interactions on cell walls and/or
membranes of microorganisms in the presence of
photocatalysis.
Conclusion
In this work we have reported the evidence of toxic
effects of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and
plant extracts on different pollution microorganisms. The
antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts was evaluated by
disc diffusion plate method. All the extracts were
evaluated in concentration range from 20 to 100 mg/ml.
Wall painting in the royal tombs (Tausert - Setnkht and
Seti I) suffers from microbial enzymes degradation and
needs urgent treatment. The lab test was performed by
using various concentrations of TiO2 NPs; 160 ppm was
the efficient concentration level in eliminating microbial
growth. TiO2 NPs and plant extracts did not cause any
observable alterations or color changes to pigments and
binding medium (Arabic gum) used in wall paintings. The
order of bacterial strains inhibition of methanol extract
after 48 h is as follows: S.warnei >M. luteus>
F.oxysporium> A. flavus > R. stolonifer. So, it is
concluded that Sesbania and Ricinus extracts possess
good antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity may
be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic
compounds.
Conflict of interests
The authors did not declare any conflict of interest.
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